Department welcomes jail sentence for Limerick man convicted of 173 animal welfare offences
Judge O’Sullivan imposed a lifetime disqualification on Seamus Looby, which stops him from owning, having an interest in or working with animals
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has welcomed the conviction of Seamus Looby for animal welfare related offences this Monday at Limerick Circuit Court.
The 68-year-old appeared before Judge Fiona O’Sullivan for sentencing on the matter.
In advance of today’s hearing Mr Looby, of Kilmallock, Co Limerick, had entered a guilty plea to 173 charges relating to breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and the European Union (Animal By-Products) Regulations 2014.
This Monday morning, Judge O’Sullivan convicted Mr Looby of:
- 67 counts of failure to safeguard animal welfare under Section 11 of the 2013 Act
- 68 counts of animal cruelty under Section 12 of the 2013 Act
- 27 counts of failure to comply with a legal notice under Section 42 of the 2013 Act
- 11 counts of failure to comply with the Animal By-Product Regulations 2014
Judge O’Sullivan sentenced Mr Looby to a term of imprisonment of three years and four months, on a single count for each of the three animal welfare related offences, and to an eight-month imprisonment term on a single count of the animal by-product related offence.
The judge took all the other counts in consideration in her sentencing decision. All sentences are to be served concurrently, with the last 12 months suspended for a two-year period.
Additionally, arising from the animal welfare related convictions, Judge O’Sullivan imposed a lifetime disqualification order under Section 58 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which disqualifies Mr Looby from owning, having an interest in or working with animals.
In August 2022, the Department opened an investigation following a complaint to its animal welfare helpline. In 2024, following the conclusion of the investigation, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment.
A spokesperson for The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said: “The Department welcomes the outcome which highlights the significant penalties applicable in the Circuit Court for animal welfare related convictions of this gravity relating to cruelty, neglect and causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
“The Department is committed to ensuring that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. The Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.”